Surface treatment for tape adhesion and ultraviolet stability

Abstract

A surface-treated polymer film is disclosed. The film has a polymer substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface and a primer applied to the first surface of the substrate. The primer is a cross-linked acrylic polymer or other suitable polymer. A method of insulating a surface with an insulation material constructed from the surface-treated polymer is also disclosed.

We claim: 
     
       1. A surface-treated polymer film comprising:
 a polymer film substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface; 
 a primer applied to the first surface of the substrate such that the primer is exposed, the primer being a polymer; 
 an adhesive directly applied to the second surface of the substrate; and 
 a laminate applied to the adhesive, the laminate comprising at least one each of, in order: a base layer, a scrim layer, and a media sheet layer facing the second surface of the substrate. 
 
     
     
       2. The surface-treated polymer film according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer substrate is selected from the group consisting of acrylic, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, polyvinylidene chloride, polyurethane, polyethyleneterephthalate, thermoplastic polyolefin, polyvinylfluoride, polyvinylidene flouride, polyethylene napthalate, polyimide polyamide, and polystyrene, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       3. The surface-treated polymer film according to  claim 1 , wherein the primer comprises a light-stable polymer. 
     
     
       4. The surface-treated polymer film according to  claim 1 , wherein, after 3000 hours of ultraviolet exposure, the film retains about 90% of its initial strength. 
     
     
       5. The surface-treated polymer film according to  claim 4 , wherein, after 6000 hours of ultraviolet exposure, the film retains about 75% of its initial strength. 
     
     
       6. The surface-treated polymer film according to  claim 1 , further comprising an anti-static compound applied to the first surface of the substrate. 
     
     
       7. The surface-treated polymer film according to  claim 6 , wherein a pressure sensitive tape peels off the substrate a distance of less than 254 millimeters after 10 minutes when the tape is pulled with a force of about 300 grams. 
     
     
       8. The surface-treated polymer film according to  claim 6 , wherein a pressure sensitive tape remains applied to the substrate after about 50 minutes at a temperature of about 140 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
       9. The surface-treated polymer film according to  claim 6 , wherein less than 51 mg/100in 2  of dust adheres to the first surface of the substrate after performing the steps of:
 a. laying the film in a horizontal position; 
 b. exposing the film to dust; 
 c. moving the film to a vertical position to allow non-adhering dust to fall away from the film; and 
 d. measuring the weight of the dust adhering to the film. 
 
     
     
       10. The surface-treated polymer film according to  claim 9 , wherein a primer coating is applied to the first surface of the substrate, and wherein less than 42 mg/100in 2  of dust adheres to the first surface of the substrate after performing steps a-d. 
     
     
       11. An insulation material having an exposed primer surface, the material comprising:
 an insulation core having a first core surface; 
 a laminate affixed to the first core surface, the laminate comprising:
 a polymer film substrate having a first substrate surface and an opposing second substrate surface; 
 an exposed primer applied to the first substrate surface, the primer being a polymer; 
 an adhesive directly applied to the second substrate surface; and 
 a laminate layer applied to the adhesive, the laminate layer comprising at least one each of, in order, a base layer, a scrim layer, and a media sheet layer facing the second surface of the substrate. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The insulation material according to  claim 11 , wherein the insulation core is cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
       13. The insulation material according to  claim 11 , wherein the insulation is one of a flat board, a flexible batt, and a blanket. 
     
     
       14. A method of insulating a material, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a polymer film substrate having a first surface and a second surface; 
 b) applying a primer to the first surface, the primer being a cross-linked polymer; 
 c) applying an adhesive directly to the second surface; 
 d) bonding a laminate layer to the second surface; 
 e) applying a strip of self seal lap tape to a longitudinal edge of the laminate; 
 f) applying the laminate layer over an insulation material such that the first surface with the primer is exposed; and 
 g) placing the laminated insulation material over a surface to be insulated such that the first surface with the primer is exposed. 
 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the insulation material in step e) is cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the material to be insulated comprises a pipe.